Arequipa
is located at an altitude of 2325 m in the desert mountains of the Andes. This beautiful
city is practically completly built out of sillar, a kind of white volcanic
stone. This is why Arequipa is called the White City. With its one milion
inhabitants, Arequipa is the second biggest city of Peru. The main square,
the Plaza de Armas is the most beautiful of the country. The magnificent
Catedrál and the shopping malls are in colonial style. It is the city of
eternal Spring.

History

There are two theories about the origin of the name Arequipa.
Long ago the Aymara Indians founded on this place a
settlement. In their language, Aymara, "ARI" stands for "summit" and "QUIPA" for "laying
behind". Indeed, the majestic volcano "el Misti" is seen from Arequipa.
The second theory says that the name comes from the language of the Inca's, Quechua.
The legend tells the story of Inca Mayta Capac, the fourth Inca, travelling through
the valley. A column of militaries, sacred virgins and nobles escorted the Sapa Inca.
Mayta Capac saw the settlement that was never before visited by any emperor. He was
amazed by the beauty of this place and the strategic importance as a connection between
the ocean and Cusco in the center of the Andes.
He said: "Ari, quipay!" translated as "Yes, stay!" This was the
answer on the desire of some of the fellow travelers the settle down on this place
and to develop the area as an important city in the Inca empire. Arequipa was totally
destructed in 1600 by a heavy earthquake and volcanic eruption.

The Spanish reestablished the city on the 15th of August 1540.
This date is still remembered by festivities in and around Arequipa with carnivals
and fairs in the evening during one week. The climax of the festival is on the 14th
of August with a splendid firework on the Plaza de Armas.

El Misti (the
Gentleman) is not the only volcano around Arequipa, but the most famous and elegant
and in the middle of two smaller volcanoes, the "Chachani" (the
Beloved) and the steep "Picchu Picchu" (the
Top Top). The pressure between the tectonic plates of Latin America and the Pacific
created some memorable dates in Arequipa. In 1687 and 1868 earthquakes destroyed
almost every building in the city. Also the Catedrál and the San
Francisco church were pretty damaged. The biggest part of these churches
date beyond 1868. The renovation of the Catedrál finished in 1898. This is maybe
why the church looks quiet cool inside in comparison with other cathedrals in Peru.
The Catedrál looks impressive from the outside in the in Peruvian so beloved
baroque style.

Buildings in Arequipa

La Compañía

A church that peculiarly offered a lot of resistance against
the earthquakes is "la Compañía".
It is unknown when this building was established. Above the entrance hall we read
1698, but other parts of this Jesuit church date from 1654. Because of its odd style
we recommend to visit this church. Don't forget to leave you footprints in the Ignacio-chapel as
well. "La Compañía" is situated
on the Plaza de Armas (see picture above, in the background is the
Chachani volcano visible). Opening hours vary, but the best time to visit "la
Compañía" in the morning or the afternoon.

Santa Catalina

By far the most interesting place to visit in Arequipa is the convent
of Santa Catalina. It is built as a
city in a city around 1580 and expanded in the 17th century. This is probably the biggest
convent in the world. 450 nuns lived there for over 400 years, totally cut off the
outside world. The inhabitants of Arequipa had no clue of what happened between the
high walls of the complex. Lot's of fantasies and tales circulated under the people. Santa
Catalina wrapped itself in mystery and silence until 1970 when a
big part of the convent opened its doors for the public.
There are still nuns living in the north area of the complex.

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Locals and tourists with or without a guide can freely visit
the remaining parts. Everything was beautifully renovated and the little streets and
squares are full of colorful flowers and the walls are painted in fresh tints. Narrow
alleys bring you to the different parts of the convent passing picturesque squares
and odd living rooms with original furnishing. You can still smell the atmosphere
of the dark Middle Ages visiting the dining hall, the square where nuns did their
laundry, the washing hall and the extensive library with an incredible collection
of books. Unfortunately the library is not always open to public.

Some visitors stay all day and melt away in the still living
past of this convent or just wonder around and lose their way from time to time.
Take your time to visit this wonderful place, it'll give you lots of inspiration.
The convent of Santa Catalina is situated
in the street with the same name and tree blocks away from the Plaza de Armas.

La Recoleta

Next to the Rio Chili you find the Franciscan convent la
Recoleta. The original building dates from 1648
and was totally reconstructed after the earthquake of 1687. Inside there
is a library of more than a 20.000 books! The Franciscans are known for
studying and teaching all of their life. Centuries old books can be found.
The oldest book dates from 1494. They house lots of works of art from
before and after the era of the conquistadors and can be visited. Indians
made parts of these objects and brought by missionaries working in the
rain forest.

La Recoleta can
be visited daily from 9am to 1pm and from 3pm to 5pm.

Colonial houses

Besides of religious buildings, Arequipa owns beautiful colonial
houses form the 17th and the 18th century. Some of them are still
private property; most of them are sold to banks or to reconstructed to shopping
malls and hotels. Some of these fantastic colonial houses can still be visited.
Pay special attention to the perfect workmanship, the gardens and the many statues
and frontons.

Around Arequipa

National parks

Eternal snow is seen on the summits of "el
Misti", the "Chachani" and
the "Picchu Picchu".
The coast is only two hours west and in the east you'll find the surrealistic volcanic
area of Arequipa. In the national park of "Pampas
de Cañihuas" graze lots of lamas and alpacas.
The guanacos and vicuñas are also part of the
scenery. So every visitor can see the four camel-like animals of Latin America
in one day.

This endless plateau is situated at 3.800m and more. Views
are spectacular. Passing a small mountain village Viscachani on
4.500m, the road continues climbing to an altiplano of 4.800m where little grows.
The main vegetation are a very tough grass that grows 2 cm a year and a brown-like
moss that grows peripherical. This is what the few animals
adapted to these heights get to eat, the vicuña and the lama.

spectacular views in the national parks around Arequipa, to say the least

Passing this altiplano brings you into a valley where the road
goes spectacular downhill to the mountain village Chivay.
This place is the biggest town of the Colca
Valley.
Hotels and restaurants offer beds and food. Next to Chivay are
the warm water springs of natural volcanic heated water. Approximately 600 years
ago the Incas used this water to heal all kinds of skin diseases because of the green
sulfur in the water. A simple but ingenious system of canals brings the water at a surface temperature 72°C
to big swimming pools at 38°C. Swimming in this water is a relaxing and recommended
experience while watching to huge mountains on the other side of the Colca River.
So don't forget your swimsuit and towel on this trip.

The Colca Cañon

Chivay is
situated on 160km east of Arequipa and is the beloved resting-place to many tourists
going to the Colca Cañon. In the area
the people are proud to call this valley the deepest in the world: a mountain ridge
of 3.200m from summit to river. But this canon is visited by many to encounter the
biggest bird in the world: the condor. Although this species is
endangered by extermination, the occasion actually seeing a condor is reasonable.
These vulture-like birds hunt in the morning or late afternoon. Most condors are
between December and March at the coast because of the rain season in the Andes.

panoramic view of the Colca Cañon

On the way to the deepest place in the cañon, you'll see the
mysterious Toro Muerto. This cemetery
of the Wari Indians is built in a 90° steep cliff. It's hard to believe that
these people brought their deaths to this place. It is even hard work for a professional
climber to get there. The deaths were buried in the positions of a fetus, like all
over Peru in ancient times. "Men has to leave the world as he came," said
their unwritten bible.

the market at the Cruz del Condor

Ten km farther up the road you get to the "Cruz
del Condor" where the Colca River is seen 1.200m below.
On the other side of the valley is Mont Mismi situated
with its summit 3.200m above the Colca.
Further downstream there are actually deeper canons but these are only accessible
by foot and by trained hikers with a well packed backpack.

I am under the impression that some beautiful sewing machine embroidery is made in Arequipa. Is this true? I want to visit this part of Peru as it is off the beaten track and the pictures I have seen are spectacular.

Myra Keplinger, one of the initial Peace Corps Volunteers who was in Arequipa 1962-64, turned 100 years of age in April, 2007 and recalled much of her experiences in Arequipa and its surrounding villages. Now nearly blind and almost deaf, she nevertheless enjoys recalling her years in South America, working among the Quechua-speaking natives.

this article it is really ice , but it has some mistakes that i saw theyare not that bad, I found two:

on the top where is said population it is million and not milion and it is not Chanchani it is CHACHANI.

Also, I think that Colca canyon it not the deepest it is the second deepest, I think the deepest one is the Cotahuasi canyon, but you need to see that better.. You did a god job. I love my city Arequipa and my country heheheheh